I LOVE Senator Byrd's rhetoric. He talks like that about Everything.

Posted by: Patrick Thrasher | July 22, 2007 12:05 PM

Well this is new! When's the last time we saw a Senator speak up over animal rights? Never? I hope this is a turning point.

ps Al Gore for president.

Posted by: Maya | July 22, 2007 12:22 PM

Posting your contempt for Vick here is only preaching to the choir. Post where it will be effective.

NIKE is still supporting Michael Vick

Email CEO of Nike
phk@nike.com

SUBMIT YOUR CONTEMPT (EMAIL AND PHONE)
https://nike-store.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nike_store.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php

LET NIKE INVESTORS KNOW OF YOUR DISAPPROVAL
http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/mb/NKE

ATLANTA FALCONS - ARTHUR BLANK (OWNER) STILL SUPPORTING VICK

EMAIL Arthur Blank and his foundation
Reggie Roberts - 800-241-3489
Brian Farley (404)-367-2070
grantinquiries@ambfo.com

Call the Falcon's training camp - (770) 965-3115

ENGAGE SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS - YOU HAVE LOTS OF COMPANY HERE
http://www.topix.com/forum/sports

Posted by: coolfusion | July 22, 2007 03:41 PM

Everyone should demand that Michael Vick be suspended immediately, and then prosecuted to the full extent possible. He is a piece of human excrement. Please - everyone write to all his sponsers as well, telling them that you will boycott their products unless they drop him. There will be no NFL watched in my home until he is fired.

Posted by: Bonnie | July 23, 2007 12:51 AM

to Patrick Thrasher, Sen. Byrd "rhetoric" etc.??? Did it ever occur to you that he has a very compassionate heart which you choose to interpret as "rhetoric?"

to Maya, Sen. Byrd has been speaking out about animals' rights for YEARS. In fact, one time many years ago he was acknowledged and applauded in the "PeTA Times" for his on-going support of animal issues.

Then we have Sen. Durbin (IL), who headed the panel at the pet food recall Senate sub-committee hearing on C-span, April 12, along with Sen. Byrd (and another Sen. - very sorry that I forget his name at the moment).
Sen. Durbin was BEYOND outraged at the lame reports from the FDA and the Exec. Dir. of the pet food industry. Sen. Durbin is keeping on top of the recall issue and demanding changes in pet foods and labeling NOW!
There are a other Senators who have been speaking out about animal rights over the years, but I'm very sorry that I can't remember their names.
p.s. and yes, I agree, Al Gore for president!

Posted by: Ariel | July 23, 2007 10:48 AM

I just saw Senator Byrd's speech on IDAUSA! This is really great and thanks also to Senator Kerry for speaking up - the two are amazing - we need their help because it is like falling back into stone age - horrible! Cavepeople outthere you here me! Everybody involved in dogfighting is a perverted caveman!

Posted by: RAGE AGAINST RASCALS | July 23, 2007 11:04 AM

Ariel, I had no idea about all of that! I really should inform myself better about our political proceedings. Thank you for that great information! :)

Posted by: Maya | July 23, 2007 12:16 PM

Please, those of you letting politicians know we appreciate their response to Vick's house of horrors, also contact Senator John Warner, and Jim Webb, and ask them why they have been mute on this issue, after all they are supposed to defend the reputation of Virginia. Also, contact Commonwealth Attorney General from Surry Co.,Gerald Poindexter, and ask why he has still not issued an indictment, even though he has known of this for months. Does he have celebrity envy, race bias, or was he a guest at the bloody festivities? If the Feds had not stepped in (kudos to them), most people would still not be aware of the animal abuse being celebrated as entertainment at that house.

Posted by: nan mcclain | July 23, 2007 01:42 PM

I'm glad to see they have spoken up about the issue.

Posted by: Erin N. | July 23, 2007 02:07 PM

We absolutely need stronger laws, and to accomplish that we all need to write to or call our legislators (state or local) and demand them

Those letters and calls really do make a difference!!!

Posted by: kelly | July 23, 2007 03:36 PM

Shouldn't we wait to see what happens in the case before we judge. Don't get me wrong if evidence shows he has anything to do with cruelty to animals than he should and will be released from the NFL and will lose all his endorsments. I think we should wait and see what the out come of the inditment is befor we condem the man. But even if they find him inecent of all wrong doing but the evidence shows he was awhre then proteset.

Posted by: Nathan Green | July 23, 2007 04:06 PM

I can't recall who said that Senator Byrd had been a "Klansman" on this blog. I am originally from W.Va. (living in NY now)and I have followed Senator Byrd's career closely for a long time. When he was 17 or 18 years old he was, very briefly, recruited by the Klan and he would be the first to acknowledge that and apologize for it. Don't forget, West Virginia became a state during the Civil War because it was AGAINST leaving the Union and against slavery. Sen. Byrd was a kid who came up the hard way and over the years he educated himself to the point where he is now a true "elder Statesman" who has well earned the respect he enjoys in Congress today. For years, he has been a staunch advocate for animals, and my suggestion would be that PETA should meet with him and try to get him on board against factory farming and the fur trade. He would be a warrior for the cause!

Posted by: Susannah | July 23, 2007 04:13 PM

I was a student during the last election but followed the campaign of Kerry closely. I'm not a bit surprised that he spoke up - He made it apparent that he had a love for our furry friends and for the game of football at various points. I think he's a wonderful individual and wish I could have another opportunity to vote for him. But I do agree, Gore would be a good choice!

Regardless, Vick should be suspended by the Falcons or NFL (the two need to quit waiting on each other). This is very cruel and we have saw with various crimes in the past, it usually stars with animals.

I thought Nike had already indicated they no longer had an interest in placing a product on the market with Vick's likenesses - Has this changed or did I hear wrong?

Posted by: Cade | July 23, 2007 04:28 PM

Guilty, schmilty. Burn him!

Posted by: George Bush | July 24, 2007 01:21 PM

It's interesting how John Kerry finally found the time to take a strong stance on an important issue. Too bad he didn't do this during the 2004 presidential campaign. Also, based on Sen. Byrd's history, I wonder if the "special place in hell" he refers to is close to the one reserved for those who terrorized black people in this country hiding behind white sheets. Needless to say I do not but any relevance in their comments. More importantly to those who frequent this site and to members of PETA, I think you should ask yourselves two questions to determine whether you are acting rationally. "Are you actions of protest really reflecting an attitude of innocence until guilt is proved?",
and "if Michael Vick is exonerated, will you accept that verdict or will he always be guilty in your eyes regardless of the result?" While the acusations leveled are definitely vile, we should allow all the facts to be heard and Michael Vick should be allowed his day in court.

Posted by: Corey | July 24, 2007 03:32 PM

To find out how your Senators
and Reps feel about the animal issues, please go to
compassionindex.org and then
click one more time on compassion index and you will be able to find out about every congressperson in the U.S
Judith

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter | July 24, 2007 04:28 PM

To the person who suggested that the NFL wait to suspend Vick until convicted: The problem with this is that the NFL has a "code of conduct" amongst its players that they are suppose to abide by. Other players have been suspended for lesser charges and it is just setting a bad example. Vick unfornately is a role model to many young adults and if the NFL does not act it will say to these individuals that dog fighting is tolerable in society. The Commissioner who supposedly has a "zero tolerance" for "bad behavior" is being a hypocrite and placing monetary issues before moral issues.Dog fighting is disgusting, degrading,& sick and Vick's indictment should be taken with complete seriousness.

Posted by: Jennifer Nash | July 24, 2007 05:04 PM

So Kerry is saying it's ok to shoot birds and deers, but not dogs. All you guys love Kerry now.

You guys are so hypocritical.

Posted by: Paul | July 24, 2007 06:22 PM

hahaha!

I love how eveyone is in love with John Kerry now, who shoots animals for fun and recreation!

Way to stick to your "morals"

Posted by: John | July 24, 2007 06:26 PM